Mitsubishi Outlander

Name: 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander
Brand: Mitsubishi

EPA Range: 22 miles

EPA MPG: 26 mpg

EPA Range: 22 miles

EPA MPG: 26 mpg

CR's Take

For 2021, the Outlander only comes as a plug-in hybrid that has been updated to a 2.4-liter four cylinder engine with an upgraded electric motor that provides a combined output of 221-hp. It can do a claimed 24-miles on electric power before switching to hybrid mode. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder and the 3.0-liter V6 engines have been dropped. Outdated and outclassed, the Outlander struggles to compete. A tiny third-row seat, that is a high point, is not offered in the plug-in hybrid. When we tested the Outlander with the four-cylinder engine, its ride felt too buoyant and not tied-down. Handling was clumsy, with slow steering response and lots of body lean in corners. Standard active safety features now include FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, and lane departure warning with lane change assist. A 2022 redesigned Outlander, based on the Nissan Rogue, is on sale.

Reliability Details

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2021 SUVs Reliability

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

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2021 Compact SUVs Ratings

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander

$15,900 - $17,725

22 miles

26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

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2021 Buick Envision

$16,600 - $22,650

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

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2021 Chevrolet Equinox

$13,500 - $18,000

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2021 Ford Escape

$13,050 - $16,800

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2021 Ford Escape Hybrid

$13,050 - $16,800

EPA MPG 40 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2021 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid

$ NA

37 miles

40 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2021 GMC Terrain

$14,600 - $21,350

EPA MPG 23 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2021 Honda CR-V

$19,250 - $24,100

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

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2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

$19,250 - $24,100

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2021 Hyundai Tucson

$13,375 - $17,900

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$13,850 - $18,600

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$13,100 - $16,025

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$13,200 - $17,650

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2021 Mazda CX-5

$15,625 - $20,525

EPA MPG 26 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2021 Nissan Rogue

$14,900 - $20,500

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2021 Subaru Forester

$17,450 - $21,500

EPA MPG 29 mpg

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2021 Toyota RAV4

$20,125 - $27,175

EPA MPG 28 mpg

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2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

$20,125 - $27,175

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2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

$25,700 - $28,725

42 miles

38 mpg

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2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

$13,275 - $18,275

EPA MPG 23 mpg

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Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

AWD

2.4-liter 4 plugin hybrid (221 hp)

1-speed direct

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

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Model History

2022-Present

Current Generation

The seven-passenger Outlander is fully redesigned for 2022. It shares its 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and much of its underpinnings with the Nissan Rogue, although a small third-row seat is exclusive to the Mitsubishi. Acceleration is leisurely but the continuously variable transmission is responsive, and the Outlander managed 25 mpg overall. Handling is quite nimble and secure but the steering is overly light and nervous. The ride is stiff and wind noise is noticeable. The first two rows of seats are comfortable, but the third row is tiny. Most controls are easy to use, including the infotainment system. The joystick-like electronic gear selector, though, suffers from unintuitive labeling. Standard active safety features include FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, RCTW, and LDW. The plug-in hybrid, which has been on the previous generation's platform, has also been redesigned. For 2026, the 2.5-liter engine was replaced with a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo mild hybrid that's mated to a CVT.

2016-2021

2016 Redesign Year

Mitsubishi's small SUV alternates between mediocrity and competitiveness. The original Outlander was powered by a noisy 2.4-liter four-cylinder, which delivered unimpressive acceleration and fuel economy. Handling suffered from overly light steering and pronounced body lean. A 2007 redesign considerably improved the Outlander, making it a competitive small SUV. Originally available only with a punchy V6, an improved four-cylinder arrived in 2008, returning 22 mpg overall. Responsive steering with good driver feedback gave the Outlander a sporty feel. An optional third-row seat was unusual for the class. A 2014 redesign stripped the Outlander of any athleticism, making it feel dated and cut-rate. Emphasizing utility on a budget, the third-row seat became standard. A plug-in hybrid joins the line in 2018. Updates for 2020 included standard forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning on all but the base trim. For 2021, the Outlander only comes as a plug-in hybrid that has been updated to a 2.4-liter four cylinder engine with an upgraded electric motor that provides a combined output of 221-hp. It can do a claimed 24-miles on electric power before switching to hybrid mode. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder and the 3.0-liter V6 engines have been dropped. Outdated and outclassed, the Outlander struggles to compete. A tiny third-row seat, that is a high point, is not offered in the plug-in hybrid. When we tested the Outlander with the four-cylinder engine, its ride felt too buoyant and not tied-down. Handling was clumsy, with slow steering response and lots of body lean in corners.

2014-2015

2014 Redesign Year

Emphasizing utility on a budget, the 2014 redesign stripped the Outlander of any athleticism, making it feel dated and cut-rate. Compared to the previous Outlander, this retooled model handles clumsily, tending to lumber through corners feeling like a larger vehicle than it is. The cabin is noisy, the front seats aren't supportive enough, and interior trim looks cheap and feels insubstantial. On the plus side, the third-row seat became standard. Overall though, we see little reason to consider buying the Outlander.

2007-2013

2007 Redesign Year

The 2007 redesign considerably improved the Outlander, making it a competitive small SUV with a refined and responsive powertrain. The interior is roomy and offers a tiny third-row seat, which is an unusual option in this category. A backup camera integrated into the navigation system is another welcomed optional feature. Alert steering with good driver feedback gives this edition of the Outlander a sporty feel to accompany its agile handling. However, to accomplish this, ride quality is on the stiff side. Road noise is pronounced too. Fit and finish are also a bit of a let down. Originally available only with a punchy V6, an improved four-cylinder arrived in 2008, returning 22 mpg overall.

2003-2006

2003 Redesign Year

Over the years, Mitsubishi's small SUV has alternated between mediocrity and competitiveness. As an example, while ride quality is reasonably comfortable, the 2003 version of the Outlander doesn't compete well with the best models in this class. Although it has reasonable passenger space; acceleration, handling, and fuel economy are all unimpressive. However, it should be noted side airbags were made standard for the 2006 model year.